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Date Posted: 13:17:23 09/04/22 Sun
Author: c
Subject: Supplementary teachings 9/2022

intouch.org Daily devotion August 26, 2022

How to Hold On

Commit to trust God and discover His peace, which enables you to endure whatever life brings.

Psalm 37:5-7

Job knew trouble and temptation, but he boldly claimed, “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him” (Job 13:15). He had lost his children, his fortune, and his health, but he didn’t abandon his faith. He was determined to hold on because he trusted God.

Unlike Job, we have Scripture, in which God reveals His nature and promises. His Word tells us that our Father is always good, always just, always faithful, and always trustworthy. When we focus on honoring and following Him, we find a consistent peace that carries us through everything.

Life is challenging, so we can easily get distracted and allow circumstances to dictate our emotions. But if we operate that way, then when life is good, we’re happy; when times are tough, we’re frustrated; and when hardship pours in, we’re miserable. On the other hand, unwavering commitment to the Lord is a cornerstone of faith. When we are situated on that foundation, we can focus solely upon God.

In order to hold on to the Lord through any trial or temptation, commit to trust and follow Him all of your days. Lay claim to His promises: The unchanging Lord and Savior is committed to caring for you in all circumstances and will never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5; Hebrews 13:8; 1 Peter 5:7).

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Back to the Bible 8/24/22

Long Live the King

August 24

Read Philippians 3:10-11 (ESV)

...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Reflect

What is the “power of his resurrection” and what does it accomplish?

What do you think of when you think of God’s power? Do you think about the creation of the world? Maybe you are reminded of God’s power and might when you read about the flood, the exodus, or the conquest of Canaan. Scripture is full of God’s miraculous deeds which are certainly evidence of His power. As Christians, we believe that God is omnipotent which means He is all-powerful. No one is more powerful than our great God!

In today’s verses, Paul spoke of the power of Christ’s resurrection. His resurrection is an incredible depiction of His power over both the physical and spiritual realms! Christ overcame both sin and death. Amazingly, on the cross, He carried the immense weight of the sins of all mankind. His body suffered and died a physical death that had spiritual significance. It put our sins to death. He was physically resurrected but again, this has spiritual implications for us. In His resurrection, He guaranteed the future resurrection of all who trust and know Him.

But the idea is not just to know about Jesus. Even satan and the demons know who Jesus is and what He’s done. Knowing Jesus means having a personal relationship with Him. Paul expressed that he wanted to continue to gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of Jesus and His power over sin and death. In fact, he said he wanted to share in his sufferings and become like Him in his death!

It may seem strange that Paul is desiring to share in Christ’s sufferings and death. But the goal of the Christian life is becoming like Christ! We know that Jesus took on flesh and suffered and died on our behalf. Therefore, when we suffer on Christ’s behalf, especially for the sake of others, we are becoming like Him. Of course, we all want to share in His resurrection. We all want to know that death is not the end. But if we want to share in His resurrection, we have to share in His death. You can’t be raised from the dead if you haven’t died.

When we put our faith in Christ, we die to ourselves. In Galatians 2:20, Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me.” And in Luke 9:23, Jesus said, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Friends, when we die to ourselves, when we share in Christ’s sufferings and take up our cross to follow Him, we will attain resurrection from the dead. That’s the power of His resurrection!

Pray

Jesus, take my life. I lay it down at Your feet because I want to know You more and share in Your suffering so that I will ultimately share in Your glory. Make me like You in every way, Lord. Amen.

~ Pastor Nat Crawford

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Back to the Bible 8/22/22

Be Strengthened

August 22

Read Ephesians 3:16-17

...that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love...

Reflect

What does it mean to have Christ dwelling in your heart?

Have you ever felt like you just can’t go on? Maybe you feel like whatever struggles you are facing are too much for you? You try and try but you are weary from the fight. Friend, you might be trying to fight your battles all alone. But if you are in Christ, you shouldn’t be.

In today’s passage, Paul is praying for the believers in Ephesus. His prayer is for them to “be strengthened with power through His Spirit”. Paul also reminds us that God is rich! He has no shortage of glory and no shortage of power. What’s more is that His Spirit lives in us! We are not alone!

When we put our faith in Christ, His Spirit immediately began to dwell in our hearts. Now, we have instant access to the riches of His power. His power becomes our strength.

Now, there are no promises that we will not have trouble once we become believers. On the contrary, Jesus Himself said, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The Spirit of the Overcomer is the very same Spirit that lives in you.

Take heart. His love is there to ground you. It should hold you fast and secure. He is with you. He will strengthen you.

Stop trying to live in your own strength. Call out to Him. You are weak but He is strong. Through His Spirit, you have access to the riches of amazing power and strength.

Pray

Jesus, so often, I am weak and struggling. But You are strong. Thank You for giving me the strength I need to persevere. Amen.

~ Pastor Nat Crawford

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Our Daily Bread

10/8/22

Self-Control in God's strength

(edited)

We struggle mightily to allow self-control when offered something we desire, even if we know it would benefit us more in the future to wait. Yet Peter urged us to "add to our faith" many important virtues, including self-control (1 Peter 1:5 - 6). Having laid hold of faith in Jesus, Peter encouraged his readers, and us, to continue to grow in goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, affection, and love "in increasing measure" as evidence of that faith (vv. 5 - 8).

While these virtues don't earn us God's favor nor secure our place in Heaven, they demonstrate - to ourselves as well as to all those with whom we interact - our need to exercise self-control as God provides the wisdom and strength we need (to live) a godly life," one that pleases Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit (v. 3).

Kirsten Holmberg

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Our Daily Bread

10/24/22

Walk On

(edited)

Walk On is the fascinating memoir of Ben Malcolmson, a student with virtually no football experience who became a "walk on" - a non-recruited player - for the 2007 University of Southern California Rose Bowl champion team....

After joining the team, Malcolmson's faith compelled him to find God's purpose for him in this unexpected opportunity. But his teammates' indifference to discussions of faith left him discouraged. As he prayed for direction, Malcolmson read the powerful reminder in Isaiah where God says: "My Word...will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent It" (Isaiah 53:11). Inspired by Isaiah's words, Malcolmson anonymously gave every player on the team a Bible. Again, he was met with rejection. But a year later, Malcolmson learned one player had read the Bible he'd been given - and shortly before his tragic death had demonstrated a relationship with and hunger for God, Who he discovered in the pages of that Bible.

It's likely that many of us have shared Jesus with a friend or family member only to be met with indifference or outright rejection. But even when we don't see results right away, God's truth is powerful and will accomplish His purposes in His timing.

Lisa M. Samra

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intouch.org Daily devotion 8/30/22


Walking Through Dark Valleys

God will never leave us to face difficulty alone.

Genesis 37:18-28

When he was 17, Joseph lost almost everything. His family, his position as the favored son, his home, and his freedom were abruptly taken from him. But he didn’t lose his faith in the Lord.

Life is like that at times for all of us. Changes in health or finances, the death of a loved one, or abandonment by a friend can bring us into a dark season. We don’t understand why God allows the trial or lets the pain continue. Joseph probably wondered the same things, but he managed to hold fast to his faith.

One of the keys to walking through a valley is to embrace the reality of God’s presence with us. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to live permanently within us and seals us as belonging to God forever. Because of Him, we are never apart from the Lord. No circumstance, suffering, or loss can separate us from Him or His love (Romans 8:35; Romans 8:38-39).

Take a few minutes each day and reflect on Jesus’ promise to be with us always (Matthew 28:20). The result will be that this truth becomes planted deep within your soul to sustain you in hard times.

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Adult Bible Class

Fall quarter: September, October, November 2022

Union Gospel Press

p 2

Editorial

Growing in the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26)

by Kenneth Sponsler

(edited)

....the obedience that honors God is the obedience of faith. He is not interested in outward expressions of duty that do not spring from the heart. ...

Nor are we ever to imagine that we can earn God's favor, or merit salvation, through our obedience. The obedience that God wants from us is a response of faith to His provision of salvation in Jesus Christ. We obey Him out of love, believing in what He has done for us and trusting in His goodness, wisdom and power.

That is essentially what Israel was called to do....At its heart, Israel's disobedience revealed distrust in Him and His Word. The same is true when we disobey.....

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